Alzheimer's Therapeutics Reviewed by NeuroInvestment

  NI Research has released the September issue of
NeuroInvestment, featuring a review of Alzheimer's therapeutics, including
a critical look at the pharma industry's premature rush to closure: "Given
the lack of congruence between the doctrine and the data, one might well
conclude that 'everything we know about Alzheimer's is wrong, including
that.' There is precious little clinical evidence to show that we are on
the right track in Alzheimer's."

The September review looks at the seeds already being sown for further epic Phase III failures in the Alzheimer's realm. While the amyloid model has not been overturned, it has also not earned its place atop the developmental pyramid. Other potentially useful mechanistic approaches have often languished. Of interest is the growing challenge to the validity of the BACE target, pursued by several pharma companies.

A recalibration of what constitutes a comprehensive AD pipeline is required, which opens the door for therapeutics utilizing other mechanisms, such as those addressing tau, metal-binding, and neurotrophin-enhancement.

The goal of AD treatment may also warrant a reset, as sustaining function farther into the lifespan may be as useful, and more safely viable, than is the elusive goal of disease-modification. Programs which sustain cognition more effectively could emerge from a host of cognitive enhancement targets; including nicotinic and/or muscarinic receptors, 5HT-6, and/or H3 antagonism.

Over 175 therapeutics programs from 110 companies are included in this review. They range from highly publicized projects like Elan/Wyeth's bapineuzumab, Lilly's amyloid antibody, Medivation's Dimebon, to those which have produced early clinical data, such as Allon Therapeutics (TSX: NPC), Targacept (NASDAQ: TRGT), Prana's PBT-2, and TauRx; to still under-the-radar programs from such companies as American Life Sciences Partners, Cortex Pharmaceuticals (AMEX: COR), and EnVivo Pharmaceuticals.

On a more positive note, the issue also looks at privately-held BrainCells, which has produced depression data that signals the potential for a genuine therapeutic paradigm-shift via neurogenesis-enhancement.

NeuroInvestment is the independent, monthly review of the neurotherapeutics area. Its reputation has been built upon fourteen years of objective, insightful, and critical coverage of the neurotherapeutics field. A one-year corporate subscription is $1800, email or hardcopy. Add $250 for dual delivery, add $50 for airmail delivery outside North America. A three month trial is US$600. The September issue is also being made available as a single purchase, for US$400.

NI Research is the leading publisher of independent research on the neurotherapeutics industry. NI Research has published NeuroInvestment since 1995, the Private CNS Company Review since 2003, and CNS Disorders/Therapeutics since 2007. NI Research also provides strategic consultation services. NI Research has developed an unmatched information base regarding both publicly and privately-held neuro-oriented companies.

Contact: NI Research P.O. Box 1028 Cardiff CA 92007 760.230.2581 Email Contact Website: www.niresearch.com